Essential Cambodia (Code: CA 00-2)

Highlight:

- Tread lightly upon the 5000 silver floor tiles at the Silver Pagoda, in the Royal Palace• Step back in time at the National Museum, home to the world’s finest collection of Angkorian sculpture
- Check out the Art Deco masterpiece that Psar Thmei, Phnom Penh’s central market• Discover a darker side at Toul Sleng Museum, a brutal reminder of the pain of Cambodia’s past
- Soak up the city by night, with a happy hour cocktail, a fine meal and crawl through the city’s bars
- Udong (the Victorious) served as the capital of Cambodia under several sovereigns between 1618 and 1866
- Stare in awe at the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat• Succumb to the enigmatic smiles of the 216 giant faces of the Bayon, Angkor’s strangest temple
- Experience nature running riot at the mysterious ruin of Ta Prohm, the original Tomb Rider temple
- Marvel at the exquisite carvings adorning the tiny temple of Banteay Srei, the finest seen at Angkor
- Cycling along the roads less travelled which undiscovered by mass tourist
- Discover the secrets of Bar street, Siem Reap’s quaffing capital where the action goes on all night and Angkor Night Market
- Relax with a massage or spa, the perfect medicine for weary bodies

What’s excludes:

- Air fare Phnom Penh – Siem Reap: US $ 100.00/ pax (Price may subject to change without any prior notice)
- Meals and drinks other than specified
- Tip and individual expenses.

Trip grading: Easy. Suitable for travelers with an average level of fitness and mobility.

Domestic/regional flight & tailor make itinerary: A Class Travel can organize our flights in and out Vietnam from/to the neighbor countries. We also offer any additional accommodation and tailor made itinerary.

Day 1 Arrive Phnom Penh

Dinner

Arrive Phnom Penh by morning flight. Phnom Penh – the city retains its traditional Khmer and colonial charm. French villas along tree-lined boulevards remind the visitor that the city was once considered the gem of Southeast Asia. Recent political changes have triggered an economic boom of sorts, with new hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs springing up around the city.
Firstly, we visit to the Royal Palace compound build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, is the most conspicuous feature and also one of impressive colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Nearside the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), display plenty of Buddha Statues that were decorated and made by diamond, emerald, gold and silver. Travelers will proceed to visit Independence Monument which was constructed in 1954 after Cambodian took their country back from French colony. Continuing on, we visit to National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture was build since 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and others. We pass through the River Front park whose scenery is much worth shooting, and continue to the only one hill in town with sacred sites called Wat Phnom Wat.Phnom Daun Penh – the name of a pagoda, was built by lady Daun Penh in 1372 on a little hill, Legend has it that after a particularly heavy flood, a wealthy Khmer woman named Daun Penh found a tree on the banks of the Mekong with four statues of Buddha hidden inside.

Day 2 Phnom Penh – Udong Stupas – Siem Reap

Breakfast – Lunch

Depart from Phnom Penh. En route, we visite a Cham Muslim village. Arrive at Phnom Baset. Visit the pre-Angkorian temple (8th century) and the pagoda to view the reclining Buddha. Enjoy the beautiful view of the surrounding plains and rice-fields from the hilltop. Drive to Udong where a picnic lunch will be served. Then, we visit the various temples and the three large Stupas where the ashes of three former Kings are preserved. The next one is the most impressive structure of the site, the “Vihara of the 18-Cubit Buddha”. En route to Phnom Penh, we stop to visit a silver craft village, Tuol Sleng prison (Genocide Museum) was the most secret organ of the Khmer Rouge regime. S-21 stands for “Security Office 21.” was Angkar’s premier security institution, specifically designed for the interrogation and extermination of anti Angkar elements. Continue to see Choeung Ek museum, between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants detained and tortured at S-21 prison were transported to the extermination camp of Choeung Ek. In the late afternoon, we take flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at airport you are met and transfer to your hotel.

Day 3 Siem Reap Exploration

Breakfast – Lunch

We continue to visit the fabulous Ta Prohm embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers

- Prasat Kravan – With its unique brick sculptures
- Srah Srang – The Royal Baths” was once used for ritual bathing
- Banteay Kdei – Surrounded by four concentric walls
- Thommanon and Chaosay Tevorda temple
– Banteay Srei: nearly everyone’s favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of it decorative carving
– Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.

Day 4 Siem Reap Exploration

Breakfast – Dinner

We start on our bike and cycle (45 minutes for cycling) to world heritage areas on the roads less traveled. Ride among the jungle passing local village and local shop. It’s a very special and acting day as you will explore some of Angkor’s most beautiful temples. You will visit the West Gate of Angkor Thom – undiscovered by mass tourist.

The ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century)
- See the South Gate, Bayon Temple- unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara.
- Baphuon temple lying just to the north of Bayon a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru.
- The Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas
- The Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King

In the afternoon, the tour start with the visiting to the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology, visit Bakheng Temple and enjoy a romantic sun set view form Bakheng hill. Enjoy foot massage 1 hour before transfer to your hotel.

Day 5 Siem Reap Departure

Breakfast – Lunch

We board on boat in Tonle Sap Lake. Here, enjoy a brief cruise past floating villages complete with schools, restaurants, and hospitals. Then we visit Puok – which is home to the Artisans d’Angkor Silk Farm. Here you will witness the entire silk production process, from the silk worm munching on the Mulberry leaves, to spinning their cocoons, the cocoons being harvested and turned into silk thread, women weaving, and of course the beautiful finished silk products, which you can purchase at the on-site boutique, a wonderful souvenir of Cambodia. Transfer to Siem Reap airport for departure to next destination.